Disinfection With Formaldehyde Fumigation

One way of disinfection is fumigation with formaldehyde gas. This can be done by heating paraformaldehyde, boiling formalin solution but the most practical method is by mixing Formalin solution, usually commercially available as 37% solution, into Potassium permanganate crystals to release the formaldehyde as gas fumes.

Formaldehyde fumigation is commonly used in fumigation boxes or chambers, an important fixture of a livestock farm biosecurity program. Located strategically at the interphase of the dirty and clean areas of the farm and with doors at both sides, equipments, supplies and materials brought into the farm can be disinfected in the fumigation chamber. Two (2) milliliter (mL) of 37% Formalin solution and 1 gram (g) Potassium permanganate crystals is required to disinfect one (1) cubic foot of air space. The computed amount of Potassium permanganate crystals is placed in earthenware bowls on the lowest level of the fumigation chamber. After closing the doors, the computed volume of Formalin solution is poured into the bowl (Very Important - Do not reverse the procedure by "pouring" the Potassium permanganate into the bowl filled with Formalin solution). The chemical reaction will release the formaldehyde gas fumes and disinfect the materials in the fumigation chamber.

Formaldehyde disinfection can also be used for livestock buildings. It is necessary that buildings to be disinfected are sealed air-tight using tarpaulin or canvass curtains to enable adequate fumigation. The computed amount of Potassium permanganate can be divided into several bowls spaced equally along the building lenght, from the end to the door. With the computed volume of Formalin solution also divided according to the number of bowls, the fumigation is started at the building end towards the building door which is then closed to fumigate-disinfect the building.

Formaldehyde fumigation is an economical and effective disinfection procedure. It should not however be a a substitute for thorough cleaning especially the complete removal of organic waste materials. As forlmaldehyde gas is toxic, irritant to conjunctiva and mucosa as well as carcinogenic, extreme precautions must be observed like wearing protective clothing, hand gloves, gas mask and eyewear, to protect individuals performing the fumigation. The chemical reaction of formalin and potassium permanganate produces a lot of heat and glass, plastic and metal bowls are not suitable to use.

Aspirin as Adjunct to Treatment for Swine Flu Outbreaks

Very recently there were reported outbreaks of Swine Flu in Bulacan and Pampanga. Significant losses were incurred due to mortalities of affected pigs but more so to their premature sale.

Although Swine Flu affects majority of pigs in a farm (in technical lingo - "high morbidity"), it does not kill too many of them ("low mortality"). If more pigs die, it is due to concurrent or complicating infections, usually secondary bacterial pathogens like the ubiquitous E. coli, Pasteurella sp. and more pathogenic endemic viruses like Hog Cholera. An outbreak may start as Swine Flu, then continue and end as Hog Cholera. This looks like what happened in the recent outbreaks hence some think it's Flu and others Cholera.

When Flu downs almost all the pigs in a farm, it is not good to disturb them too much. It is best to leave them alone and they should recover uneventfully in 3-4 days. Antibiotic and supportive medications can best be given through the drinking water. Injecting the pigs will stir and stress them too much and cause more harm than good.

Giving Aspirin as adjunct to treatment can be beneficial. Scientifically known as Acetylsalicylic acid, it is classified as Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Its other pharmacologic actions are analgesia (relieves pain) and antipyrexia (relieves fever). In a Swine Flu outbreak, aspirin will promote faster recovery.

It is best to administer Aspirin through the drinking water. To provide a dose of 10-20 mg/kg every four hours, it can be given continously at the dilution rate of 800 milligrams per liter water or 160 grams per 200 liter drum.